1. Cheap imported steel would drive down the price of steel in the United States, causing producers to reduce their output. 2. Eventually, the United States could raise tariffs on imported steel. 3. GST, like virtually all domestic steel companies, was undercut by cheap imported steel and rising energy costs. 4. Ironically, Bush pledged himself and his administration to free trade at the same time that he ordered the tariffs on imported steel. 5. It raised the cost of raw materials, yet helped them by increasing the price of imported steel products. 6. Last week, the Bush administration took the first steps toward imposing broad restrictions on imported steel. 7. Last week, he jettisoned his anti-protectionist convictions and declared his support for trade barriers against imported steel. 8. Last year, business was booming and supplies were so short that many U.S. mills bought imported steel to meet demand. 9. Many companies, along with the steelworkers union, have complained that they cannot compete with imported steel sold at less than the cost of production. 10. Nearly every major steel maker in America is pushing the Bush administration for quotas and tariffs on imported steel. |